The Best Way to Communicate in the Workplace
from ABC News
Today's wireless world offers an endless array of communication choices, giving businesses and individuals a myriad of efficient options to keep in touch with the rest of the world. But in many cases, the proliferation of choices has also blurred the rules of professional protocol. More

US$819 Billion Stimulus Bill Gives Renewables a Boost
from Technology Review Online
The US$819 billion stimulus package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives contains much to make renewable-energy supporters happy. But things could change in the coming days as work continues in the Senate on a similar bill. More

Infrastructure Plays Key Role in New US$7 Billion Saudi City
from Construction Week Online
The US$7 billion Medina-based Knowledge Economic City (KEC) project—directed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz bin Saud, the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA) and a consortium of Saudi corporations—is considered the most important of Saudi Arabia’s Economic Cities because of its proximity to the Holy Mosque. The fourth of six greenfield privately-developed centers of industrial and economic development in Saudi Arabia, KEC was designed to attract knowledge-based intellectuals and entrepreneurs from around the world. More

Americans Lost Over a Quarter of 401(k) Savings in 2008
from The Washington Post
Millions of American workers lost an average of 27 percent of their 401(k) retirement savings in 2008, according to a study released by Fidelity Investments. Despite such losses, Fidelity's analysis of 11 million participants in more than 17,000 corporate plans showed that employees continued to contribute to their retirement savings and took out fewer loans against the plans than in the previous year. In fact, they added an average of US$5,600 in pre-tax earnings to their accounts, a slight increase from the year before. More

IT Industry Joins Energy Efficiency Push
from Reuters UK
The IT industry is joining the push toward energy efficiency by developing new power management technology to curb the sector's harmful contribution to climate change, operators say. The global computing industry has recently been criticized for the high carbon dioxide emissions of its data centers and energy consumption. More

New Sky Building 'Europe's Most Sustainable'
from Devono
Broadcaster Sky's new building near Heathrow in London is on track to be Europe's most sustainable broadcast facility, the company has claimed. The £223 million building will incorporate a range of eco-build technologies to help keep its emissions and carbon footprint low. More

A Green Action Plan for Existing Buildings
from Greener Building
The beginning of 2009 mandates an increased focus on mankind's impact on the environment. Organizations are increasingly being deluged with new green products and technologies, NGOs (non-government organizations) are promoting new greenhouse gas reduction targets, and governments are beginning to pass new legislative standards. And we find that creating, operating and traveling between our built environments impact the Earth more than any other set of activities. The imperative to address our existing environments is upon us. More

Hospitals Hurt by Slumping Economy Put Off Projects
from USA Today
Many hospitals are delaying expansion plans, putting new equipment purchases on hold and freezing hiring, blaming an ongoing credit crunch, tattered investment portfolios and more patients who are putting off some treatments. More

U.S. Gets Top Grades on Tech-savvy Scorecard
from Reuters
The United States and Scandinavian countries top the annual rankings on the usage of telecommunications technologies such as networks, cellphones and computers, a report shows. More

The Climate Group to Develop Low Carbon Cities in China
from Greener Building
The Climate Group plans to develop 15 to 20 low carbon cities in China as part of the organization's drive to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and battle climate change. In addition to working with large cities, the group seeks to engage what it described as "second-" and "third-tier" cities and views the smaller municipalities as greater opportunities for development. More